I am new to the "ball on a string approach" to obedience training that Bernhard Flinks uses. I have both Flinks videos, but I find myself confused about how to teach certain commands using the ball-string.

How is the down (platz) taught? Is the ball dropped or quickly moved downward?

How should the ball-string be used to reward the recall? Hold ball in front and drop when the dog runs up to you?

How can the ball be used at a distance?... for example to teach the dog to platz from 20 yards away?

Hello,
The way I use it for the DOWN command to become more quickly (dog needs to know the command first)
When dog is free (command) I hold the ball high in the air on the string when the dog jumps for the ball I pull it away and when dog in the air I say the command DOWN, when he does it correct I say command FREE and give him the ball. I try that the dog goes down more quickly and quickly.

For the send away I put the ball at the end of the field where he needs to DOWN. First step I put the dog down walk to the end of the field showing the ball and put it on the ground and running back (first small distance and then bigger and bigger) Do the send away and when dog is near the ball I give the command DOWN. Next step walk over there but don't put the ball do the send away and give the down command (at first dog will try to look around for the ball) when he does it correct throw him the ball. Next step before going on the field put a ball at end of field OR throw your ball their after the call back (ex. calling dog back after he is laying down) And later do the send away. Dog must always have the idea that a ball can be there.

Hope this helps little
Greetings

http://www.kringgroepantwerpen.tk

I like this thread you started. I am also new to ball-string method. I have watched tape only on 2 occasions. I am too confused how you incorporate this method with all phases of Obedience. I have started using the method and he sure concentrates more on me, but that is with using toy. How do you wean him off the toy and incorporate all this without using toy enticement? I wonder if we can start a thread on each phase of obedience (sit, down, stay etc..) using this method. I sure like it better than just using compulsion.

Mike

I like this thread as well MJC, I have started using the ball in training as well, I find I get a much better response! I have started heeling with it, All off lead, I hold the ball to my chest and command heel, he goes right to the side and looking at me, then I have been taking about 10 steps real slow, then relese and let him chew on it for a few seconds, he follows that ball like it was his life line, it's great! He will focus at me forever using this method, much better then food reward, and not as messy!

What I really think is great is he gets to choose what to do, so if he does not do it right, he gets no ball, and he tries even harder then....it's funny sometimes he gets so upset he will down, sit, bark, trying to figure out what I want hahaha Spontainious rehersal I think it is called. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Has anyone figured out how to use the ball-string to teach the recall from a distance? I can't seem to find a good way to reward the dog. If I hold the ball out in front of me, she crashes into me when she returns.

Based on the lack of substantive responses, it appears that nobody here has much experience using the ball-string for general obedience. I guess we are on our own.

Dave;
Don't know about Bernard, but here's how I use the ball (with or without string) for the recall:

This assumes the dog already knows the heel/fuss/here command. Call the dog and as she gets close enough to see it, throw the ball (you must be sneaky about letting her see it after the first few times, so I palm it with my hand(s) at the side and toss it back with the minimum of hand motion) down and directly behind you, allowing her a free run for her toy...all fun, no obedience. This will build a very fast recall.

Depending on the dog, mix in the fuss or here (sit front)...without throwing the ball...about once in three/five recalls to make sure she knows that sometimes she will have to come to you and perform instead of going right past you for the ball. When she comes to the desired position, you can use the ball on string to reward her.

Works for me.

Dave,

Rest assured, you are not on your own… I train strictly with a ball and hardly ever use a leash, you can teach pretty much every phase of obedience with a ball. As far as your problem with a recall is concerned, what Ikor suggested with throwing a ball behind you is fine if your goal is a faster recall. But this does not seem to be your problem, if the dog crashes into you… What I would do is hold the ball under your chin and start recalls from close proximity. Holding the ball under your chin frees your hands to help the dog into the correct position and teaches the dog to look for a ball under your chin. Once the dog is in sitz position, just lift your head and drop the ball. Slowly increase the distance between you and the dog. If she still comes too fast from a longer distance and you feel like she's about to crash into you, run backwards and motion her into position. There are not set rules, you have to modify and adjust as you go along. Once she learns to sit in front of you on recall, you can alternate between front sit/reward, throwing the ball behind you, or making her fuss before rewarding with a ball, i.e., keep her guessing.

Hope this is substantive enough, if not, you can request a refund <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> .

Renee,

I for one do request a refund. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> We are all shortchanged when we don't here from you more!
Good post.

Thanks Ikor and Renee, now I don't have to try to "reinvent the wheel". Flinks has some interesting techniques but at some point a ball is a ball. I'm always looking for methods that have been successfull.